"If sales or revenues are down, will we see a Maine city promoting increased marijuana use by its citizens?" asked Scott Gagnon, spokesman for the group Mainers Protecting Our Youth and Communities. "Given a choice only between for-profit pot shops, or city run retail operations, the latter would seem to offer more control over those aspects that pose the most risk to youth namely marketing and outlet density."

Baldacci said Bangor councilors would need to wait at least one year to see how the state crafts its marijuana policy.

He said another consideration is the federal government. If Attorney General Jeff Sessions directs the Department of Justice to more aggressively enforce marijuana laws, then Baldacci said Bangor would "back off" of the pot shop proposal.